This was in keeping with the ancient belief about the “Mandate of Heaven” which stated that natural disasters would generally mark the end of the rule by a dynastic clan in control of an empire in the region. Later in the year 280, the Jin Dynasty was able to conquer Dong Wu.Īt the end of the Han era, there were uprisings by the common people, as well as natural disasters that led to its decline. The Jin Dynasty was able to take control of Cao Wei and conquer Shu Han, thereby forming the Jin Empire (263-420). The population of this region was reduced by the natural disasters and warfare experienced at the end of the empire, as well as during the Three Kingdoms Period. The Han Empire broke up into three economic geographic regions that were separated by the natural boundaries of the Yangtze River and central mountains which were home to the Three Gorges. The situation was further compounded by great conflicts within the dynastic court itself, which resulted in many killings and assassinations amongst court officials as well. These included natural disasters and rebellions that immensely eroded the power of the dynastic court. Various factors led to the decline and final end of the Han Empire. The end of the Eastern Han Empire (AD 25-220) was marked by its division into 3 regions headed by leaders Cao Cao (155-220 CE) who had control over the area north of the Yangtze River known as Cao Wei Liu Bei (161-223) who reigned over an inland region known as Shu Han, which included Sichuan to the southwest and Sun Quan (182-252) who had control of the southeastern region known as Dong Wu, which means Eastern Wu. Home Chinese Culture History of China Three Kingdoms Period Fall of the Han Empire

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